Monica Rainey Thornburg, born Oct. 22, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away Nov. 4, 2024, leaving a legacy of compassion, faith, and service to her community. Monica grew up as the daughter of a pastor, spending her childhood in in Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois and Kansas, where she graduated high school with honors. Her pursuit of education and ministry led her to attend Bethany Nazarene College and graduate from Olivet Nazarene College with honors.
A talented singer, Monica toured for two years with the Leichty Quartet before meeting her first husband, Grant Rainey, at Olivet Nazarene College. Together, they served in ministry for nearly three decades, with Grant beginning his work as a youth pastor in Canada and eventually serving as a senior pastor in both Canada and the United States. They shared three children, Layne Grant Rainey, Matthew Denson Rainey, and Amanda Elise Rainey, and were blessed with two beloved grandchildren, Max Rainey, and Beatrice Irene Rainey Bogel.
In Canada, Monica and Grant co-founded a successful employment counseling business, helping people in their community find meaningful work. Monica’s passion for advocacy led her to found Citizens Against Child Exploitation (CACE), an organization dedicated to protecting children. Her work resulted in important legislative changes and earned her the title of Citizen of the Year in Kelowna, Canada.
Monica found love once again and married Larry Thornburg in Pittsburg, Kansas, with whom she shared 23 devoted years. Together, they served in countless lay ministries at the Pittsburg Church of the Nazarene, where Monica also earned a biblical counseling certificate. Her commitment to others led her to establish a Christian counseling ministry, develop a divorce recovery program, and continue her advocacy, which garnered her the Woman of the Year award for her work protecting children in Pittsburg.
A woman of boundless energy and warmth, Monica embraced life with a passion for singing, playing the piano, crocheting, cooking, baking, and traveling. Her love for others radiated in everything did, from her devotion to her family to her community work. Monica’s leadership qualities were recognized throughout her life, earning her honors from a young age, including being crowned as Queen at her elementary school and later at the Illinois Nazarene Church District.
Monica is survived by her loving husband, Larry Thornburg; her children, Layne Grant Rainey, Matthew Denson Rainey, and Amanda Elise Rainey, son-in-law, Kenneth Bogel; her grandchildren, Max Alexander Rainey, and Beatrice Irene Bogel Rainey; her mother Elaine Baker; her sister, Teresa Layman, brother-in-law, Michael Layman; step-children, Christie Smith, Mark Thornburg, Joy Butts, and Suzette Fleske.
She is preceded in death by her father Reverend Wilson D. Baker in 2009 and a sister, Dr. Marcia Baker in 2010.
Monica’s life was a testament to her faith, her love for people, and her dedication to making a difference. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but her legacy will continue to inspire those she touched.
A memorial service for Monica will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at South Broadway Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Moss and Pastor Jim Sukraw co-officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the start of the service on Thursday. A private family burial will be held in the Highland Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorials to be given to First Church of the Nazarene and/or South Broadway Baptist Church. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary.
